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| Subject: Money | |
Author: Ed Harris (Venezia) | [ Next Thread |
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] Date Posted: 14:48:34 11/15/04 Mon In reply to: Nick (UK) 's message, "Decimalisation" on 13:30:42 11/15/04 Mon Florins, of course, were named after Florentine currency units which were of course decimal. Similarly, 'ducats', also decimal and in use throughout much of southern and eastern Europe, were named after the Venetian currency units, since Venice was officially called the "Ducato" or 'dukedom' of Venice. The only currency to be counted in twelves was the 'libra', also Italian and the origin of the modern word 'lira' and also the origin of the 'L' sign for our own pounds (the £-sign was also used in Italy for lire until they adopted the Eurodollar). To what do these fascinating remarks tend, then? Perhaps I am trying to say that neither the decimal nor the dodecimal systems originate here in Britain, and that they are all imports anyway. On the other hand, I just find it easier to count in twelves, since they divide by everything. A third of a pound was six shillings and eight pence and a sixth of a pound was three shillings and fourpence; but there can be no third or sixth of a pound now. Moreover, I like the fact that British currency was somehow distinct and different, having three divisions and none of them related to the number ten. The simple joy which children get out of the 'weird' tripartite and non-decimal system of money in the Harry Potter books is proof, I think, that there would not be much opposition to re-introducing the old way of doing things. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |